REVIEWS Southern Texas, Peninsular Florida, the Keys and Thence South to Northern South America (Benson 1982)
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Plant Protection Ouart9l'Iy Vol. 3(3) 1988 115 1. Aean.boce~u. pen ••gonus (L.) Britton & Rose A. pentagonus, sword pear, is native to REVIEWS southern Texas, peninsular Florida, the Keys and thence south to northern South America (Benson 1982). It has spiny stems upright to 2-3 m and then arching over to form dense clumps. The large white flowers open at night and ripe fruit is eaten by birds and mammals. The means of introduction to Australia is unknown; the earliest record is from Springsure, Qld, in 1926. The species now occurs in wooded country over a large area Distribution and biological control of cactus north and south of Gogango in Central Queensland and in several small patches species in eastern Australia between Charters Towers and Jandowae (Figure I). The mealybug Hypogeococcus festerionus (Lizer y Trelles) (Hemiptera: J. R. Hoaklng Pseudococcidae), introduced for the biolo New South Wales De partment 01 Agriculture, Agricultural Researc h Centre, gical control of harrisia cactus, E. martin;;, R.M.B. 944. Ta mworth , N.SW. 2340 is established at Gogango and provides reasonable control. No other insects are R. E. McFadyen recorded from this cactus. Quee nsla nd Depa rtment 01 La nds . The Ala n Fletche r Research Station. P.O. Box 36. Sherwood, Queensla.nd 4075 2. Echlnopsis muiliple. (Pfeiffer & Otto) N. D. Murray Zucco Department 01 Genetics and Human Va riation, La Trobe University, E. mUltiplex is native to Brazil (Mann Bundoora . Victoria 3083 1970). Commonly cultivated in gardens for its delicate trumpet-shaped pink flowers, it forms dense clumps and has occasionally become naturalized from garden escapes. Summary often best suited 10 certain habitats. Such Only one infestation, near Clermont in data, where known, are included here. Central Queensland, is known to exist at Maps are presented detailing present distri Reviews such as those of Dodd 1940, Mann present (Figure 2). butions of cactus species in eastern main 1969, 1970, Moran and Zimmenmann 1984 No biological control of this cactus has land Australia. Also included are the areas and Julien 1987 should be consulted for been attempted and there are no records of of origin, common Rames, plant features further information on biological control insects feeding on it in Australia. and the first recorded Australian occur of cactus. rence for each species. Biological control agents for each cactus are listed along with J. Erlocereus 1bonplandll (parm. ex information on whether these agents are Materials and methods Pfeiffer) Rlccob. established in Australia and the degree of Mann (1970) lists Eriocereus regelii Weng control achieved by them. Nomenclature of cactus speci es used in this as naturalized north of Jandowae, Qld. In publication corresponds to that used by 1982 an area of several hectares of an Telford (1984). Most of the species are Eriocereus sp. with spineless fruit was Introduction described in Telford (1984) and those discovered at Springton near Duaringa in species not covered by him are described Central Queensland (Figure 3). These Dodd (1940) published a distribution map in Britton and Rose (1919-1923) and for Opuntia stricto (Haw.) Haw. varieties plants, reaching over 3 m tall when sup Benson (1982). ported by trees, appeared identical to E. and since then the only detailed cactus dis The maps were compiled from informa bonplandii, a common species in the tribution maps to be published were for tion on files and from offi ce rs of the Eriocereus martin;; (Labouret) Riccob. in eastern Chaco of Argentina (McFadyen Prickly-Pear Destruction Commission of 1986). When the plants at Jandowae were Queensland (Mann 1970, Johnston and New South Wa les and the Department of Lloyd 1982, McFadyen 1986) and Opunrio subsequently re-examined, they appeared to Lands in Queensland. museum specimens be the same species. However, no authori auran/iaea Lindley in New So uth Wales and from the personal observations of the (Hosking and Deighton 1979). This paper tative identification has yet been obtained authors. (Telford 1984). updates the earlier maps and describes New information on biological control more species than are mentioned in pre· The mealybug H. festerionus has been agents has been gathered from personal released on E. ?bonplandii at Jandowae vious publications. Superficial maps for observations and unpublished experiments. most species were provided by I. Telford, and Springton. resulting in satisfactory with assistance from the authors, for 'Flora conlrol in both areas. of Australia: Volume4'(Telford 1984). The Dlatributlon 01 cactua epeelea and their maps will be of interest to those working biological control agents 4. Erioet.. u. mlrtlnU (Labou,et) Rlccob. on biological control of weeds and weed control in general. Dried specimens of each The cactus species are listed in alphabetical E. martinii, harrisia cactus, is a native of of the cactus species discussed here are order with information on areas of origin. the Chaco of Argentina and Paraguay slored in the herbarium of the Canberra common names, first records in ~ustralia, (McFadyen 1979). Harrisia is the name Botanic Gardens. present distribution and biological control Britton and Rose adopted for the genus Biological control agents for each cactus agents. Some plant features are included, Eriocereus (Britton and Rose 1919-23). species are listed along with comments on particularly those relating to presence or E. martin;; grows as a rambling tangled whether they are established in Australia absence of spines, clump-forming ability mass with 1 or 2 central spines (10-35 mm and the desree of control achieved by them. and whether plants are dispersed by seed long) and 5 to 7 radial spines (I~ mm These insects, mites and pathogens 3re or vegetatively. long) per areole. This species has large 116 Planl PrOieclion Ouarterly Vol. 3(3) 1988 Acanthocereus pentagonus + Echinopsis multiplex • Opuntia cylindrlca Hylocereus undatus Opunti. deject. Nyctocereus serpentlnus 6 Opuntia e/atior Se/enlcereus macdona/d/ae • Opuntia ficus-indica o Opuntia microdasys cugo Opuntia paraguayensis km Townsville CIDI v Opuntia robusta t T ownSVi ll e~([])Opuntia streptacantha 0100 ~ Longreach + ?: -------- .--- - .---.... ---------- ___:.t'..._': _ 9£~hampton ~ ----- . ~ Roma .... • Brisbane ~ __________- G-O-O-n-d-i-w~in~ Figure 1 (above) Distribution of Acanthocereus pentagonus. Hylocer· o eus undarus. Nycrocereus serpentinus and Selenicereus macdonald/ae. Shaded areas are over , Tamworth. 100 ha. other areas are less than 100 ha . Figure 2 (right) Distribution of Echinopsis multiplex. Opuntia cylin· • Sydney drica. O. dejecta, O. elatior. O. ficus·indica, O. C~nberra. microdasys, O. paraguayensis, O. rabusta, 0. strep * Opuntia sulphurea tacantha, 0. sufphurea, 0. tunicata and O. sp. 'joconoxtle'. Shaded areas are over 100 ha , other Opuntia tunicata areas are less than 100 ha. * o Opuntia sp. 'joconoxtle' white Howers which open at night. E. mar Curculionidae), also became established osus but causes little damage. A . cereicola tin;; is mainly spread by seed, fruits being (McFadyen and Tomley 1981) but the latter was released but did not establish. No other eaten by both birds and mammals. has since died out (McFadyen 1986). Caeto in sects have been recorded on E_ tortuosus The earliest record of in troduction of blastis new sp. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Australia. E. martinii is as a pot plant brought to (McFadyen 1980) was released but has not Gatton in about 1886 (Mann 1967). E. mar become established on E, martinii. Other 6. Hylocereus uod.lus (Haw.) Britton linii was first recorded as a weed in insects found feeding on E, martinii are & Rose Queensland in 1935 (McFadyen and li sted in Table I. Tomley 1981). This species now occurs in H. undatus, moonli ght cactu s, is a native discontinuous areas from the Collinsv ille of tropical America (Telford 1984). It is a district in central Queensland to nonhern 5. Eriocereus tortuosus (James Forbes ex common epiphyte in gardens throughout New South Wales south of Goondiwindi Otto & A. Dietr.) Riccob. Queensland, growing up to 30 m high on (Figure 3). E. lorluosus is a native of Argentina trees, panicularly iron barks. Aerial roots E. martinii has been the object of a (Telford 1984). This cactus is also known attach the stems closely to the bark. Dur biological control program conducted for as harrisia cactus in Australia. E. lorluosus in g the summer there is profuse blooming the Queensland Deparlment of Lands by grows as a rambling tangled mass with 6 of large white fl owers opening at night, but the Commonwealth I nstitute of Biological to 10 radial spines (1-3 em long) and I to the large red fruit rarely form . Control. Insects on E. martinii were studied 3 central spines (2.5-6 em long) per areole. Small patches of H , undalUS are natural and tested in Argentina. Following these The flowers are white. ized in and near towns from Cairns to tests, insects specific to E. martinii and E. torluosus was planted in a garden at Brisbane (Figure I). Individual infestations related genera were sent to Queensland and Western Creek Homestead, Millmerran, increase quite rapidly but as fruit are rare, released by the Department of Lands in Qld, in about 1888 (Mann 1970). The spread is min imal and H. undatus has never Queensland. The most success ful biologi largest infestation of E. lorluosus now become a problem. cal control agent introduced was H . Jesleri occurs in this area, although some plan1s No biological control has been attempted anus. Queensland now reli es on this insect have escaped from gardens in the Hunter against this cactus and' no insects are for control of E. martinii. H , /eslerianus Valley, New South Wales (Figure 3). recorded feeding on it. is still bei ng hand distributed to spread this H . Jesterianus causes severe damage to insect throughout E, marlinii infesta E.